National park · Finland
Karkali Strict Nature ReserveKarkalin luonnonpuisto
Go only if you have a car or bike and want a 1–3 hour marked-trail walk: entry is free, the loop is short, and you must stay on the trails — skip it if you need facilities, a long hike or public transport to the gate.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1964
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Finland ↗Finland is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Finland ↗The land border with Russia is closed to travellers; do not plan a route across it.
- Finland ↗Everyman's rights let you walk, camp for a night and pick berries on most land, but not near homes, and not to make fires without permission.
- Helsinki and the South Coast ↗The Helsinki–Tallinn ferry is a border crossing for many passports: carry your passport or national ID card and check the rules for your citizenship.
At a glance
- Country
- Finland
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- About 1 km² of land on a peninsula in Lake Lohjanjärvi (check).
- Established
- 1964
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Lohja
Karkali is a strict nature reserve, not a national park: a 1 km² peninsula of lime-rich soil in Lake Lohjanjärvi where linden, hazel and oak grow in a way rare for Finland. Public access is limited to marked trails, overnight stays are banned, and there is no visitor centre, café or shop at the gate. It is a short, easy stop on a Lohja day, best paired with the Torhola cave nearby. Travellers wanting a full day of trails should use Sipoonkorpi or Nuuksio instead.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1964.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1964
About 1 km² of land on a peninsula in Lake Lohjanjärvi (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Lohja.
Why go
- A rare deciduous forest for southern Finland: linden, hazel and oak on calcareous soil.
- Short, flat marked trails with duckboards — an easy leg-stretch on the road between Helsinki and Turku.
- Old cultural traces: house remains and a meadow kept open by annual mowing.
- Free entry and no booking; you can decide on the day.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanSnow and ice; trails not maintained for winter use
- FebIce; duckboards slippery
- MarThaw mud; ice still on the lake
- AprWet, muddy; first green
- MayFresh leaves, birdsong, dry-ish trails
- JunLong daylight; linden in leaf
- JulWarm; mosquitoes and ticks active
- AugWarm; quiet
- SepAutumn colour, few people
- OctColour fading; wet
- NovDark, wet, no facilities
- DecShort days; ice risk
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deciduous woodland birdsApr–Jun · Best in the leafing season. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| TicksMay–Sep · Present in grass and undergrowth; check yourself after the walk. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| MosquitoesJun–Aug · Worst on still, warm evenings near the shore. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Linden and hazel in leafJun–Aug · The reason the reserve was founded. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Helsinki
Drive Highway 1 (E18) west, exit 22 (Hossantie) or 21 (Tavolantie) to road 1070 (Karstuntie), then follow the Karkali sign to the entrance lot.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Lohja centre
By bike about 18 km (11 mi), or by car on Karstuntie; the nearest bus stop is on Karstuntie roughly 8 km (5 mi) from the entrance.By bike about 11 mi (18 km), or by car on Karstuntie; the nearest bus stop is on Karstuntie roughly 5 mi (8 km) from the entrance.
30–40 min by car
Open the page →
From Turku
Drive E18 east towards Helsinki and turn off at the same exits.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Public transport
Lohja–Sammatti local buses stop on Karstuntie, about 8 km (5 mi) from the gate; from there it is a long walk or a taxi.Lohja–Sammatti local buses stop on Karstuntie, about 5 mi (8 km) from the gate; from there it is a long walk or a taxi.
1 h+ from Lohja
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance and parking | Small lot and trailhead sign off the Karkali road. | Open; no gate fee. |
| Central meadow | Former yard of a farmhouse, kept open by annual mowing. | On the marked trail only. |
| Deciduous forest core | Linden, hazel and oak on calcareous soil, with standing and fallen dead wood. | Marked trails only; strict protection. |
| Southern shore landing | The one legal boat landing point, also used for swimming. | By boat; no other landing allowed. |
| Torhola cave area | A limestone cave near the reserve, outside the strict zone. | Open; do not enter deep passages alone. |
Sketch map
- 1Karkali entrance and parking · Gate≈60.244, 23.815Trailhead off the Karkali turn from Karstuntie.Map ↗
- 2Southern shore landing point · Beach≈60.240, 23.802The only legal boat landing; also used for swimming.Map ↗
- 3Central meadow · Trail≈60.241, 23.801Approximate; former farmyard kept open by mowing.Map ↗
- 4Torhola cave · Cave≈60.245, 23.825Approximate position near the reserve.Map ↗
- 5Lohja centre · Town≈60.249, 24.066Nearest shops and beds, about 18 km (11 mi) away.Nearest shops and beds, about 11 mi (18 km) away.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate, taken from the reserve centre and the mapped entrance and landing point, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry to the reserve | Free | person | No entrance fee; hikers pay nothing to walk the marked trails (check). |
| Parking at the entrance | Free | car | Free small lot off the Karkali turn from Karstuntie (check). |
| Guided tours | Free | group | No regular commercial guiding at the reserve; check Metsähallitus listings if you want one. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Marked-trail access no permit
Boat landing permit or guide
Overnight stay permit or guide
Park rules
- Stay on marked trails
- Karkali is a strict nature reserve; leaving the marked routes is not allowed.
- No overnight stays
- Camping and sleeping in the reserve are forbidden.
- Boat landing
- Landing is allowed only at the one marked spot on the southern shore.
- No fires
- Open fires are not permitted; there are no campfire sites at the reserve.
- Dogs
- Keep dogs on a lead and on the marked trails; check current Metsähallitus rules before you go.check
- Leave no trace
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins at the trailhead.
Where to stay
Near the park
Lohja town
Hotels, guesthouses and the nearest shops, about 18 km (11 mi) from the reserve.Hotels, guesthouses and the nearest shops, about 11 mi (18 km) from the reserve.
Near the park
Lohja area cottages
Summer cottages and rentals around Lohjanjärvi; book ahead in July.
Safety
Ticks medium
Deep water and steep drop-offs medium
Torhola cave medium
Slippery duckboards and rocks low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The main marked trail is short and mostly flat, but duckboards make wheels and prams difficult.
- The rocky western end of the peninsula is not suitable for limited mobility.
- No visitor centre, café or toilets at the entrance; plan facilities in Lohja.
Visiting lightly
- Keep to the trails: the rare deciduous ground flora does not recover from trampling.
- Leave dead wood in place; it is part of the reserve's ecology.
- Take all litter home — there are no bins on site.
- Park only in the marked lot and do not block the access road.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Karkali Strict Nature Reserve?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee and no ticket desk; you park at the small lot by the entrance and walk the marked trails. Parking is free (check).
What are the best hikes in Karkali Strict Nature Reserve?
There is one main marked nature trail, a short and mostly flat loop with duckboards, taking 1–2 hours. The western end of the peninsula is rockier and adds a little time. Off-trail walking is not allowed, so there is no long route here.
When is the best time to visit Karkali Strict Nature Reserve?
May, June and September. May and June give fresh leaves and birdsong; September gives autumn colour and few people. Winter is not recommended: trails are icy and there are no winter services.
Can I get there without a car?
It is hard. The nearest bus stop is on Karstuntie about 8 km from the entrance, so most visitors come by car or bike — the reserve is roughly 18 km from Lohja centre by bike.
Can I camp or swim at Karkali?
Camping and overnight stays are forbidden. Swimming is possible only at the permitted landing point on the southern shore, where the lake is deep with steep drops close in.
Is Karkali the same as a national park?
No. It is a strict nature reserve of about 1 km², founded in 1964 to protect a rare deciduous forest on calcareous soil. Access is limited to marked trails and there are no visitor facilities.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go